Page 24 of A Seduction Of Death (Umbra Hunters #4)
TWENTY-FOUR
Meyer
“ T his shouldn't be happening!” Theo yells, sprinting through the halls of the castle, me and Jordan on his heels. He looks panicked as he shoves Rangers out of his way, clearing our path, leading us through the entryway of the castle and out the opened front doors.
“Is it the Rogue Seniorem?” Jordan asks, voice level and calm as we skid through the snow, boots slipping slightly as Theo races up the steep stairs of the wall.
“We have Hunters out there; they would’ve reported their armies,” Theo calls over his shoulder, shoving past a few Hunters and earning scowls of distaste from the older men as he looks over the castle walls and starts to curse. I’m panting by the time I make it to the top of the wall, my lungs feeling like they’re on fire, but that doesn't stop the gasp that wheezes from me at the sight of the Wraiths and Beastia slowly moving from the trees on the other side of the clearing.
“That's not good,” I manage to say just as something lands on light feet beside me, making me twist my hand falling to my Kalis to yank it from its sheath. I pause when Razar turns, looking at me with an unamused arch of his brow. He reaches out, snags my Kalis, and looks it over with his lips pursed in frustration.
“Hey, give that back!”
“Who gave you this?” he asks, voice low and deep so only I can hear him.
“I got it from Nox since you still have my first one, and don't you dare think about stealing it, Razar Regalis! I let you keep the first one so I could earn it back, but this one is mine. Touch it, and I’ll stab you again,” I threaten, snatching the blade back and then looking up at the sky with a frown. “Where the hell did you come from?” I ask, looking side to side for whatever perch he was hiding on. Razar grunts and nods, still looking frustrated but allowing me to sheath my blade.
“You should be aware of your surroundings at all times. The three of you allowed yourselves to be distracted by what's in front of you instead of protecting your backs. If I were an enemy, all three of you would be dead,” Razar grinds out, glaring at me while reaching out and punching Theo in the arm.
“Hey!” Jordan snaps, stepping between Theo and Raz because, apparently, my best friend has a death wish.
“What the hell, Razar?” he groans, rubbing at his arm with a pained expression. “What was that for?”
“Why should I bother teaching you if you can't be useful and keep her safe?” Raz rolls his eyes, and Theo frowns, looking around us with an annoyed huff.
“Safe from what? The damn sky? Where the hell did you come from? There are no trees or anything around here. Can you sprout wings or something?”
“We should probably focus on the Demon army headed our way, man,” Jordan grumbles, glaring at Razar once more before turning and looking to where at least a dozen Wraiths and twenty or more Beastia stalk from the snow-covered trees. Razar scowls at the monsters and curses, looking over his shoulder as Creed and Valen sprint up the stairs, their eyes on me as they shove past Raz.
“You should’ve waited for me,” Creed snaps, grabbing me around the waist as Valen takes my hand, his pale green eyes widening as he takes in the monster army on the far side of the clearing that separates the castle from the forest.
“Sorry,” I say half-heartedly to Creed and shrug. It’s not like I wanted to leave without him. I had taken maybe, three seconds to search for him, but the arena was chaos, and I knew he would find me out here.
“Inside,” Valen snaps, shoving me closer to Creed, and I glower up at him,crossing my arms over my chest.
“No.”
Valen stills, his brows dipping, a deep crease forming between them as he looks down at me, confusion plain to see on his handsome face. I almost laugh at the cute picture of dismay he paints, standing before me in his black Demon armor, white hair perfectly combed, looking like the perfect Prince of Hell. However, the whole thing is ruined with that stupefied look on his face.
I shrug when he looks at me and then back at the Demon army as if he’s unsure how to respond to my answer. But come on, did he really think telling me to go inside would work?
“Mi Sol,” Valen says calmly, and I sigh, already knowing he’s going to try and talk me into going inside by using sweet words.
“Nope,” I simply say, not wanting to be rude but unwilling to further that conversation. “I know I get myself into trouble sometimes,” I admit, and Theo snorts.
“Understatement,” Jordan coughs, and I flip them off as I look at Raz and Creed.
“But if I’ve learned anything in these last few months, it’s that splitting up usually makes things worse.” Raz nods, his face a blank slate, making it hard to decide if he agrees with my assessment about splitting up or about me getting in trouble. I purse my lips as I study him. Hmm, probably a bit of both. Turning, I look up at Creed. “Am I sticking with you?”
“No,” Raz snaps and grabs my wrist, yanking me from Creed's arms making him growl in frustration. “Nox has him helping Senior Regalis and Senior Drakos. Horse, now. And you two,” Raz points to Theo and Jordan. “Get down to your Seniors before you’re written up.” Theo nods, rushing away with a small wave in my direction as Jordan looks at me and I nod, waving my goodbye to the two of them. Razar nods down at the courtyard while Creed stands there glaring at us, then sighs in frustration, running a hand through his curly brown hair as he nods.
“Yeah, okay. Stick to his side like fucking glue and stay on the wall. I love my dick too much to order you inside, but that doesn't mean I don't want you safe,” Creed mutters, leaning forward and kissing me so hard I stumble back a little. Big, firm arms instantly cord around me as my back collides with a hard chest, and I gasp into Creed's kiss.
“I love you,” Creed whispers against my lips before turning on his heel and racing down the steps as the hands holding me up tighten on my biceps. I glance up into heated black-green eyes and shiver as Razar’s chest rumbles, the vibration traveling through my body as he clicks his tongue and shakes his head.
Raz keeps his fingers wrapped around my arms, tugging me back with him as he moves and looks up at Valen.
“You know what to do,” he clips out, and a frazzled-looking Valen looks from me to Raz before groaning and nodding.
“Mi Sol,” he whispers, leaning close, and I smile at him. “I’m sorry. I shouldn't have demanded that you go inside. It's just… Fuck. Okay, I’m going before I take you with me,” he growls, kissing me just as hard as Creed did before taking off, weaving around the Rangers and Hunters who take up their positions, bows in hand, quivers of arrows strapped to their backs.
“This feels like deja vu,” I whisper, looking over the wall at the army creeping closer every second. They are all in formation and look way too calm for an army made up of magical creatures and rabid monsters. The battle horns sound again, signaling that all Hunters and Rangers should be in position.
“Razar!” Nox’s voice cuts through the mayhem of the Rangers and Hunters below, and Raz twists, tugging me with him since he’s still clinging to my arms. It doesn't take long to find my Demon Prince, and I watch as Nox and Orcus stride down the castle stairs, both dressed in matching black armor with an ax and hammer crossed over a shield with a wolf-like beast at its center.
I almost do a double-take as I figure out which one is Nox. From this distance, it’s nearly impossible to tell. Both Demons have their black hair braided back from their face, and their height is almost the same. They keep pace with one another, making me frown. If I didn't know better, I would say they were brothers rather than father and son. The only difference is that Nox holds his massive ax in his left hand, and Orcus has a hammer that looks three sizes larger than his head slung casually over one broad shoulder. But it's the dark green eyes that instantly clash with mine that have me smiling as I stare at my mate.
My mate. Fuck, that’s so weird to think about.
Only a couple of weeks ago, I had a panic attack over the idea of being mated to Nox. Now, the thought thrills me. Not being a Demon Princess, that’s still fucking crazy, but saying that Nox is mine and only mine? A thrill rushes through me as he says something to his father before turning and rushing through the courtyard and up the stairs.
His big hand cups my cheek the moment he’s within reach, and he tugs me out of Razar’s hold, tucking me into his chest, lips pressed to my brow as he looks at the enemy over the wall. “This is like a damn recurring nightmare,” Nox growls against my hair, and I nod, just thinking the same thing. Everything about this reminds me of the last time the Beastia and Wraiths attacked. “Your scouts?” he asks, looking to Razar, who shakes his head, making Nox curse and hold me tighter.
“Jesthren wouldn’t attack like this for no reason. He wants Meyer, but an attack like this doesn't make sense. There’s nothing else here worth this type of risk, ” Razar mutters, sounding far too calm in this situation.
“I agree. But it's not like we can ask what his insane mind is cooking up and the reasons for it. Father wants his guard to attack and see if we can scare him off without endangering the Hunters. He and Valen will strengthen the wards before we step out on the field. I’ll tell Creed to come out only if Father signals for him.”
Razar nods as Nox releases me, looking down with a frown as he counts the number of weapons I have strapped to my body. “Here,” he says, reaching down and unclipping one of the three thigh holsters he has strapped to his leg. Kneeling, he wraps the thick strap around my leather-clad thigh, his big fingers working the small metal clasps with ease as he cinches it around my leg and tightens it, adding about ten blades to my weapons’ stash.
I reach down, letting my finger trail over the silver handles, and smile when he leans forward and kisses my leg with a gentle brush of his lips.
“Thanks,” I whisper, making Nox smirk and wink at me as he stands and kisses my cheek.
“Stay with Raz,” he whispers, and I nod as he looks over my head at his brother.
“And stay on the wall,” he demands. I can feel Raz tense behind me and turn, looking up with an angry expression.
“I’m supposed to circle behind and make sure the stragglers don’t get away.” His voice is calm, but it doesn't match the frustration clearly on his handsome face.
“No. Meyer stays on the wall. I’ll figure something else out,” Nox declares, eyes moving over my face like he’s trying to memorize every detail before he suddenly turns and heads for the stairs.
“Father wants both of us to circle around back. Meyer and me. Her magic and ability to control the Beastia can save so many lives! She can handle it, Nox. You know that. I’ll keep her safe,” Raz clips out, hands fisting in a rare show of anger when it comes to Nox and his commands. I keep my mouth shut, while preening over the fact that Razar thinks I can handle the fight.
Nox frowns, looking at me, and then back up at Raz with a nod. “She can, I know. But I will handle the battle better, knowing she's fighting next to the other Rangers near the castle.” Nox looks back at me with a grimace. “This is my issue…. I… Fuck, I’m working on it. I promise. Please don't be mad,” he whispers, and I shrug.
“You think I can handle it?” I ask, really wanting to know the truth. “Don't lie,” I demand, repeating the words he so often uses on me, and Nox scowls.
“I do. But not by yourself. Not yet, at least. You’re still learning, and your magic is new and untested. But I can’t handle it. I know this sounds completely ridiculous, but you've been in too much danger since we mated, and I’m already struggling with the need to lock you in a room somewhere.”
I glare at him, and Nox immediately covers his dick with his hands and steps back.
“I’m not going to! Even I know that’s crossing the line, but it doesn't mean that the instinct to protect you no matter what simply disappears, Little Demon. It’s not as bad as it was when we first mated, but it's still there. Valen is having a harder time with it than he was expecting. Dream Walkers don’t typically get hit with the mating haze the way Versipellis Demons do, but it's riding him hard. His emotions are all over the place, and he hates himself for wanting to smother you. He’ll do his part on the wards, then track you two down no matter what Father says. I promised him I would ask you to stay on the wall, even if it hurts us in this fight,” he admits with a grimace.
“Even if I can save some lives? Nox, that's asking a lot,” I whisper, and he nods.
“Of you, yes, we are asking too much. For us?” Nox shakes his head, looking sad and determined all at the same time. “Meyer, I want to help the Hunters. I want to keep this castle safe and help restore the balance in my realm. But if I have to choose between keeping you safe and alive and helping them. The choice is simple. Father knows that. He would be the same if it were Mom in your place.” I try not to gape at Lennox while digesting that small amount of information. Nothing like your mate telling you that he would be willing to sacrifice not only the Umbra Hunters but his entire realm to keep you safe. I’m not sure if I want to kiss him until he can't see straight or whack him upside the head for it because that's crazy!
“Alright,” I agree, and Nox quirks a brow.
“That's it? No pushback?” he asks, suspicion coating his tone, and I nod.
“Yep. You need to know that I’m on the wall. I want you and Valen to be safe despite the unhinged things you just said. If you need to think I’m on the wall, then that's what we’ll do.” I don’t elaborate, and I keep my answer vague so I don't lie. The moment the words are out, I instantly feel bad. Despite not lying, I’m withholding my intentions, and now my stomach hurts.
Shit. I shouldn't do this, but at the same time, if I can help keep the Rangers and Hunters safe? Theo and Jordan? I have to do it!
“Nox, I can keep her safe. Meyer can fight. She held her own against Jesthren in that clearing up by the North Ridge,” Raz snaps, glaring at me like he's mad I took Nox’s side. “Father said she is a key player in keeping the Rangers out of this fight. If we can do that without anyone else getting hurt, shouldn’t we at least try? You didn't see her when she was trying to carry Elaine's body back! I refuse to have that pain on her face again!”
“Father has no say in what I do with my mate. Neither do you. Not yet,” he amends when Raz growls and takes a threatening step forward. “She stays on the wall, Razar. If Meyer wants to fight, I won't stop her, but I will do everything in my power to ensure her safety without overruling her choice.” I turn to look up at a fuming Raz and purse my lips when he crosses his arms and glares down at me. “That’s an order,” Nox calls over his shoulder, making Razar’s face turn a weird sort of red color as the battle horns sound again.
“You know that vein right there,” I point to my own head, showing him what I mean as I gesture at his forehead. “Yeah, it looks like it's about to pop,” I chuckle, making Razar snarl at me, his teeth clashing like a wild animal, and my laughter grows. “Chill out,” I clap my hands together, looking down at Nox and waiting for him to stride across the courtyard and get out of earshot. “So, when do we circle around to stop the stragglers? Do we wait for the fight to begin and see how much Beastia ass Nox and your Dad can kick, or do we sneak over there beforehand?”